Welcome to Picture Books for All

Children of all abilities should see themselves in the books they read. That's what makes reading fun. There are many picture books that include characters with disabilities; some are excellent in terms of their portrayal of these characters, some are pretty good, and some miss the mark. This blog features these picture books and evaluates them based on standards for quality in children's books that portray characters with disabilities. For more information, see the first post entitled "Welcome to Picture Books for All." (Click here) Welcome to Picture Books For All

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Articles Worth Reading

In my introductory post on June 5, 2012, I wrote: "I plan to post articles on topics related to inclusiveness, differences in abilities, cultural diversity, children's literature, and new interesting research in related areas." 

Today, a few days before Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews all over the world and the day that Jews atone for their wrongdoings, I was sent this article. It highlights the importance of inclusiveness for children and parents alike. It is an important article detailing one Jewish family's experience. But it is universal in that people of all faiths and cultures could, and most probably do, find themselves in very similar situations. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-seidman/religion-special-needs_b_1897172.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&ir=Parents&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=689911,b=facebook

May it be an inclusive year for all!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Author Interview: Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen



Author Interview:  Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Stephanie is the award-winning author of many picture books, including Elizabeti’s Doll and We’ll Paint the Octopus Red, as well as the young adult novels The Compound, The Gardener and The Raft. She has an MFA in creative writing and currently lives in Oregon with her family.

Stephanie, I am thrilled to have you as a visitor on my blog today.  Congratulations on your new novel, The Raft! Can you tell us how you came to write We’ll Paint the Octopus Red and The Best Worst Brother?
Thank you—I’m very glad to be here. I was at the point where I had just begun writing picture books with the intent of getting published, and I was looking everywhere for inspiration. I worked at the local YMCA in the day care where we had two families with kids with Down syndrome. I got to know them and came up with the story.

How was the first book received? Did you get feedback from parents?
It was received really well.  Several state Down Syndrome associations adopted it as their book to hand out to new parents in the hospital.  Although it has been out for over a decade, it still keeps getting read, and we are always running into people who have it. Recently my husband was out body surfing in Hawaii and got talking to the man next to him. The man has a son with DS and said they are on their third copy of the book because the others had worn out from so much reading.

What about the second book—the sequel? Was it harder to write? How was it received?
I tried for several years to come up with a sequel and finally hit on one that the editor liked. It was not as well received as the first, as typically happens with some sequels.

Have you visited classrooms to read these books?  Do the teachers do a lot of preparation before you arrive?
I do a lot of school visits and often share the book. I find that teachers only prepare the kids about the DS books when they have kids in their school with Down syndrome or other special needs. When they don’t, then it’s up to me to explain it to them.
That’s an interesting point. Teachers could do more to prepare all of their students for books with sensitive content before an author visit so that the students could “be on the same page” as the author from the outset. Preparation would also allow for discussion prior to the visit and could result in more thoughtful or sensitive questions on the part of the students.

Can you tell us what your biggest challenge was in writing these two picture books?
For the first, I was really trying to get across the simple message that young children, like Emma, have no preconceived notions. They see a kid and want to play. The second was harder, because I knew it had to be a little more realistic and problematic, which was hard after the first book.

The question and answer sections in the backs of the books are very helpful, “kid-friendly,” and respectful toward people with disabilities. How did these sections come to be?
The publisher came up with the questions and had me take a crack at answering them. I did, knowing that the publisher would change any that weren’t quite right, but I ended up doing pretty well on them.

I know you wrote another picture book with a character who has a disability (Babu’s Song). What inspired you to write that one? And are you still writing picture books?
Babu’s Song was inspired by my Peace Corps experience in Tanzania. The grandfather in the story is mute, which gives more power to the music of a handmade music box that he has made for his grandson. I still am writing picture books, yes, although I have been focusing on young adult novels and a new middle grade series that’ll keep me very busy for the next two years.

Do you have any words of wisdom for authors who are thinking of writing picture books that portray characters with disabilities?
Like any story, I think you just have to tell the story you feel the need to tell, and to tell it to the best of your ability.

Stephanie, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to be here today. Clearly, We’ll Paint the Octopus Red and The Best Worst Brother have comforted and inspired many young readers and their parents.  Best of luck on your middle grade series. 

Check out Stephanie's website:  http://www.rockforadoll.com/

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Book #s 5 and 6  We'll Paint the Octopus Red and The Best Worst Brother (sequel to the first book), by Stephanie Stuve Bodeen. These books are written from an older sister's perspective and portray her feelings, wishes, and hopes for her younger brother who has Down Syndrome. The first book takes place when Isaac is a baby and the second book when he is almost three years old.

Watch for an interview with the author in the next few days!



Related Information
Comments
Name of Book:
We’ll Paint the Octopus Red
This book is written from an older sibling’s perspective. In the back of the book there is a section called “Questions & Answers about Down Syndrome.”  It is well-written, child-oriented, and respectful of people with disabilities.
Author
Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Other picture books by Stephanie: Elizabeti’s Doll, Babu’s Song, and The Best Worst Brother (featured below).
Stephanie is an award-winning author of picture books and young adult novels. She has recently published YA novels The Compound, The Gardener, and The Raft.

Here is the link to Stephanie’s website: http://www.rockforadoll.com/awards.htm
Illustrator
Pam DeVito
Publisher
Woodbine House
This publisher specializes in books about children with special needs. http://www.woodbinehouse.com/
Year of Pub:
1998
Although this book was published before 2000, its sequel, The Best Worst Brother, was published in 2005. I decided to feature the two books together.
ISBN:    
1-890627-06-2
Hardcover; 1st edition
Age range
3-7

Type of Disability
Down Syndrome

Fiction or Nonfiction
Fiction
Category:  B, and the sibling is more integral to the plot than the character with the disability.

A) books that provide factual information about a disability

B) books that provide information about a disability in a story format in which the character with a disability is integral to the plot

C) books that provide stories that have a character with a disability who may or may not be integral to the storyline and who has been added to the story to achieve diversity and reflect reality

Annotation:  Emma is not sure she wants a new brother or sister. Then she and her father talk about all the things Emma will be able to do with her new sibling. When baby Isaac is born with Down Syndrome, Emma fears that he might not be able to do the things she has planned for him. She and her father come to the conclusion that Isaac may need a little extra help and encouragement, but that there is probably nothing he won’t be able to do.  As Emma meets her new baby brother, she is already planning what color they will paint the Octopus together . . . .
Link to publisher:
Here is a blurb from the publisher’s “About Us” section: We are nine colleagues who have worked together for years to publish books. Most of us have some personal experience with special needs. As such, our lives are touched every day by many of the issues and topics we cover in our books, and we experience the emotions that go along with loving someone with a difference--it's what we think enables us to communicate through our books in ways that connect to parents and professionals.

Links to professional reviews:

Click link and scroll down for reviews from School Library Journal and Booklist.



                       



Standards for Quality Portrayal of Characters with a disability
Comments
1. Promotes empathy not pity
Yes
Yes. This book tugs at our emotions in a positive way. It is hard to read it without shedding tears of empathy, relief, and optimism.
2. Promotes acceptance, not ridicule
Yes

3. Emphasizes success rather than, or in addition to failure
Yes

4. Promotes positive images of persons with disabilities or illness
Yes
Emphasizes what Isaac will do and be able to accomplish.
5. Assists children in gaining accurate understanding of the disability or illness
Yes
Excellent Q & A section in the back about Down  Syndrome
6. Demonstrates respect for persons with disabilities or illness
Yes

7. Promotes attitude of “one of us” not “one of them.”
Yes
8. Uses people-first language
Yes
9. Describes the disability or person with disabilities or illness as realistic (not subhuman or superhuman)
Yes
10. Depicts people with disabilities as more similar to than different from other people
Yes
Emphasizes that with patience, encouragement, and a little help, Isaac, the character with Down Syndrome, will be able to do everything that Emma has hoped and planned for him.
11. Shows peoples’ strengths and abilities along with their disabilities
Yes
12. Represents characters as strong, independent people who others can admire or learn from
N.A.
13. Represents people with disabilities from different racial and cultural backgrounds, religions, age groups, and sexual orientations
No
Characters are white. Isaac is a baby, so Emma, the older sister, is imagining what he will do with her when he grows up.
14. Shows people with disabilities in integrated settings and activities
N.A.

15. Shows people with disabilities in valued occupations and diverse roles.
N.A.

16. Shows people with disabilities in reciprocal relationships
Not yet
Isaac is a baby throughout this story.
17. Character with the disability develops and grows emotionally as a result of what happens in the story
No



Related Information
Comments
Name of Book:
The Best Worst Brother
This book is the sequel to We’ll Paint the Octopus Red. It is written from an older sister’s perspective, as is the first book.  In the back of the book there is a section called “Questions & Answers about Sign Language,” which is somewhat specific toward children with Down Syndrome who use sign language. This section is well-written, child-oriented, and respectful of people with disabilities.
Author
Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Other picture books by Stephanie: Elizabeti’s Doll, Babu’s Song, and We'll Paint the Octopus Red (featured above).
Stephanie is an award-winning author of picture books and young adult novels. She has recently published YA novels The Compound, The Gardener, and The Raft.

Here is the link to Stephanie’s website: http://www.rockforadoll.com/awards.htm
Illustrator
Charlotte Fremaux
Publisher
Woodbine House
This publisher specializes in books about children with special needs. http://www.woodbinehouse.com/
Year of Pub:
2005

ISBN:    
1-890627-68-2

Age range
4-8

Type of Disability
Down Syndrome

Fiction or Nonfiction
Fiction
Category:  B, and the sibling is more integral to the plot than the character with the disability.

A) books that provide factual information about a disability

B) books that provide information about a disability in a story format in which the character with a disability is integral to the plot

C) books that provide stories that have a character with a disability who may or may not be integral to the storyline and who has been added to the story to achieve diversity and reflect reality

Annotation: Emma, Isaac’s older sister, expresses her true emotions about what it is like to have a little brother with Down Syndrome.  She compares the good times she remembers when Isaac was a baby to the difficult interactions with him now that he is almost three. Emma tries to teach Isaac some sign language, and though he does not respond right away, he eventually learns and uses the signs. When Isaac accompanies the family to an open house at Emma’s school, she wonders how he will behave and how others will react to him. She discovers that although Isaac isn’t perfect, he is her best little brother.
Link to publisher:
Here is a quote about the book from the publisher:  “The Best Worst Brother  is an endearing and realistic look at how a relationship evolves between a typically developing older sister and her younger brother with a developmental disability. It also shows how sign language can help a child that acquires speech more slowly. As Emma is pleased to discover, Isaac can learn to sign, he just learns when he's ready.
Links to professional reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Worst-Brother-Stephanie-Stuve-Bodeen/dp/1890627682  Click link and scroll down for reviews from School Library Journal and Midwest Book Review.



                       



Standards for Quality Portrayal of Characters with a disability
Comments
1. Promotes empathy not pity
Yes
2. Promotes acceptance, not ridicule
Yes
Emma learns to overcome her anger and frustration toward her brother and discovers his positive qualities.
3. Emphasizes success rather than, or in addition to failure
Yes
Isaac learns to sign and show appreciation. But sometimes, he still engages in aggressive behavior.
4. Promotes positive images of persons with disabilities or illness
Yes
Yes, toward the end of the book.
5. Assists children in gaining accurate understanding of the disability or illness
Yes
Yes. Both the story and the Q & A section in the back of the book help readers gain an accurate understanding of Isaac’s disability.
6. Demonstrates respect for persons with disabilities or illness
Yes

7. Promotes attitude of “one of us” not “one of them.”
Yes
8. Uses people-first language
Yes
9. Describes the disability or person with disabilities or illness as realistic (not subhuman or superhuman)
Yes
10. Depicts people with disabilities as more similar to than different from other people
Difficult to answer
Emma asks herself whether Isaac is like other people’s little brothers and wonders whether he is “worse” or “better” than other brothers. She comes to the conclusion that he is “better,” though the reader may not be sure why she has reached this conclusion.
11. Shows peoples’ strengths and abilities along with their disabilities
Yes
Learns to sign and show love and also exhibits aggressive behavior.
12. Represents characters as strong, independent people who others can admire or learn from
N.A.
13. Represents people with disabilities from different racial and cultural backgrounds, religions, age groups, and sexual orientations
No
Characters are white.
14. Shows people with disabilities in integrated settings and activities
Yes

15. Shows people with disabilities in valued occupations and diverse roles.
N.A.

16. Shows people with disabilities in reciprocal relationships
Yes
Isaac responds to Emma and learns the signs she has been trying to teach him (“please” and “thank you”).
17. Character with the disability develops and grows emotionally as a result of what happens in the story
Hard to say, as Isaac is only three.